第31期：control of TB

　　Better control of TB seen if a faster cure is found

　　(2006-2007学年第31期)

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　　By Jill Moss

　　The World Health Organization 1 that about one-third of all people are infected with bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Most times, the infection remains inactive. But each year about eight million people develop active cases of TB, usually in their lungs. Two million people die from it.

　　The disease has increased with the spread of AIDS and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis.

　　Current treatments take at least six months. People have to take a 2 of several antibiotic5 drugs daily. But many people stop as soon as they feel better. 3 .

　　Public health experts agree that a faster-acting cure for tuberculosis would be more effective. Now a study 4 just how effective it might be.

　　A professor of international health at Harvard University 5 the study. Joshua Salomon says a shorter treatment program would likely mean not just more patients 6 . It would also mean fewer infectious patients who can pass on their infection to others.

　　The researchers developed a mathematical model to examine the effects of a two-month treatment plan. They 7 the model with current TB conditions in Southeast Asia.

　　8

　　. And it might prevent about twenty-five percent of TB deaths.

　　The model shows that these reductions would take place between 2012 and 2030. That is, if a faster cure is developed and in wide use by 2012.

　　The World Health Organization developed the DOTS program in 9 . DOTS is Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course. Health workers watch tuberculosis patients take their daily pills to make sure they continue treatment.

　　10

　　. The ten-year plan also aims to finance research into new TB drugs. The four most common drugs used now are more than forty years old. The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development6 says its long?鄄term goal is a treatment that could work in as few as ten 11 .

　　此部分内容由美国之音提供